Firm Profiles
Pinsent Masons
Pinsent Masons
A UK-headquartered international firm known for energy, infrastructure, and technology
A UK-headquartered international firm known for energy, infrastructure, and technology
Year 1 Trainee
£52,000
Year 2 Trainee
£57,000
Newly Qualified
£105,000
About the firm
About the firm
TC Number
±70
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
29
Pinsent Masons is a UK-headquartered international law firm founded in 1769, with over 490 partners and approximately 3,500 employees across 29 offices globally. Revenue in 2024/25 was £680 million. The firm operates exclusively across five global sectors: financial services, technology, science and industry, energy, real estate and infrastructure — a deliberate sector focus that distinguishes it from broader-based international firms.
Pinsent Masons has more PLC clients than any UK law firm except one. The firm is also notable for operating Vario, a contract lawyer platform launched in 2013, and for running a broader professional services model that sits alongside traditional legal practice — reflecting an explicit ambition to be a "purpose-led professional services business with law at the core."
The training contract is based across London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds offices across four six-month seats. The firm recruits primarily through its vacation placement programme — vacation placement participants are automatically considered for a training contract without submitting a separate application. The firm partners with University of Law for SQE preparation. The SQE provider is University of Law (ULaw) with all fees funded by the firm.
Practice areas and rankings
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
112
Category
International
Pinsent Masons achieved 112 practice area rankings in Chambers UK 2026, reflecting its breadth across multiple offices and the depth of its sector-focused practices. The firm is consistently recognised for innovation and was named in the FT Innovative Lawyers reports. Pinsent Masons won the Innovative Lawyers in Responsible Business award for its work on green infrastructure financing. The firm was also recognised in The Times Best Law Firms 2026 for construction, energy, real estate, and technology.
Top practice areas:
Energy and natural resources
One of the firm's most prominent practices. Pinsent Masons advises on the full energy spectrum with particular depth in renewables, nuclear, oil and gas, and energy transition. The firm's sector focus means energy expertise is integrated across corporate, finance, projects, planning, and disputes practices.
Infrastructure and projects
A leading UK infrastructure practice advising on major construction, transport, utilities, and social infrastructure projects. The firm's construction practice is one of the most active in the UK — consistently ranked for both contentious and non-contentious construction work.
Technology, science, and industry
A major technology practice reflecting the firm's explicit sector focus. Covers data protection, digital transformation, IP, regulated technology transactions, and AI governance. The firm advises many of the UK's leading technology and science companies.
Real estate
A comprehensive real estate practice spanning development, investment, planning, and real estate finance across the UK and internationally. One of the most active practice areas for trainees at Pinsent Masons.
Finance
A significant finance practice covering banking, acquisition finance, infrastructure finance, and real estate finance — closely integrated with the firm's sector specialisms.
The application process
Written application
The online application form covers personal details, academic history, and work experience. The firm reviews applications holistically — legal work experience is not required and all experience demonstrating transferable skills is valued. Mitigating circumstances are taken into account. Career changers are explicitly welcomed.
Psychometric Testing
Pinsent Masons uses an online blended assessment submitted alongside the application form. The assessment includes a mix of question types reflecting realistic trainee tasks — situational judgment, verbal reasoning, and competency-based scenarios. The blended format is designed to be fair and to give candidates from all backgrounds an equal opportunity to demonstrate their potential. The firm's early talent team reviews applications alongside the assessment results.
Assessment Centre
The assessment centre is a full-day process comprising:
A one-to-one interview focused on motivation, commercial awareness, and competencies.
A business simulation exercise designed to reflect trainee-level work and assess commercial judgement.
A case study requiring candidates to analyse information, identify key issues, and present reasoned conclusions.
Throughout the day, assessors will be looking not only at the quality of your answers, but also how you approach problems, engage with others, and structure your thinking under time pressure.
The application process
Written application
The online application form covers personal details, academic history, and work experience. The firm reviews applications holistically — legal work experience is not required and all experience demonstrating transferable skills is valued. Mitigating circumstances are taken into account. Career changers are explicitly welcomed.
Psychometric Testing
Pinsent Masons uses an online blended assessment submitted alongside the application form. The assessment includes a mix of question types reflecting realistic trainee tasks — situational judgment, verbal reasoning, and competency-based scenarios. The blended format is designed to be fair and to give candidates from all backgrounds an equal opportunity to demonstrate their potential. The firm's early talent team reviews applications alongside the assessment results.
Assessment Centre
The assessment centre is a full-day process comprising:
A one-to-one interview focused on motivation, commercial awareness, and competencies.
A business simulation exercise designed to reflect trainee-level work and assess commercial judgement.
A case study requiring candidates to analyse information, identify key issues, and present reasoned conclusions.
Throughout the day, assessors will be looking not only at the quality of your answers, but also how you approach problems, engage with others, and structure your thinking under time pressure.
Firm history
Firm History
Ready to Apply?
Ready to apply?
The Future Trainee Academy covers the full application, including written applications, online assessments, interviews, and assessment centres.
For situational judgment and reasoning practice, the Watson Glaser Practice Hub gives you unlimited free timed tests with worked explanations.
Firm Profiles
Pinsent Masons
A UK-headquartered international firm known for energy, infrastructure, and technology
Year 1
Trainee
£52,000
Year 2
Trainee
£57,000
Newly
Qualified
£105,000
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
112
Category
International
Pinsent Masons achieved 112 practice area rankings in Chambers UK 2026, reflecting its breadth across multiple offices and the depth of its sector-focused practices. The firm is consistently recognised for innovation and was named in the FT Innovative Lawyers reports. Pinsent Masons won the Innovative Lawyers in Responsible Business award for its work on green infrastructure financing. The firm was also recognised in The Times Best Law Firms 2026 for construction, energy, real estate, and technology.
Top practice areas:
Energy and natural resources
One of the firm's most prominent practices. Pinsent Masons advises on the full energy spectrum with particular depth in renewables, nuclear, oil and gas, and energy transition. The firm's sector focus means energy expertise is integrated across corporate, finance, projects, planning, and disputes practices.
Infrastructure and projects
A leading UK infrastructure practice advising on major construction, transport, utilities, and social infrastructure projects. The firm's construction practice is one of the most active in the UK — consistently ranked for both contentious and non-contentious construction work.
Technology, science, and industry
A major technology practice reflecting the firm's explicit sector focus. Covers data protection, digital transformation, IP, regulated technology transactions, and AI governance. The firm advises many of the UK's leading technology and science companies.
Real estate
A comprehensive real estate practice spanning development, investment, planning, and real estate finance across the UK and internationally. One of the most active practice areas for trainees at Pinsent Masons.
Finance
A significant finance practice covering banking, acquisition finance, infrastructure finance, and real estate finance — closely integrated with the firm's sector specialisms.
About the firm
TC Number
±70
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
29
Pinsent Masons is a UK-headquartered international law firm founded in 1769, with over 490 partners and approximately 3,500 employees across 29 offices globally. Revenue in 2024/25 was £680 million. The firm operates exclusively across five global sectors: financial services, technology, science and industry, energy, real estate and infrastructure — a deliberate sector focus that distinguishes it from broader-based international firms.
Pinsent Masons has more PLC clients than any UK law firm except one. The firm is also notable for operating Vario, a contract lawyer platform launched in 2013, and for running a broader professional services model that sits alongside traditional legal practice — reflecting an explicit ambition to be a "purpose-led professional services business with law at the core."
The training contract is based across London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds offices across four six-month seats. The firm recruits primarily through its vacation placement programme — vacation placement participants are automatically considered for a training contract without submitting a separate application. The firm partners with University of Law for SQE preparation. The SQE provider is University of Law (ULaw) with all fees funded by the firm.
The application process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
120 UCAS
A-Levels Reqs.
Degree Reqs.
2:1
Written application
The online application form covers personal details, academic history, and work experience. The firm reviews applications holistically — legal work experience is not required and all experience demonstrating transferable skills is valued. Mitigating circumstances are taken into account. Career changers are explicitly welcomed.
Psychometric Testing
Pinsent Masons uses an online blended assessment submitted alongside the application form. The assessment includes a mix of question types reflecting realistic trainee tasks — situational judgment, verbal reasoning, and competency-based scenarios. The blended format is designed to be fair and to give candidates from all backgrounds an equal opportunity to demonstrate their potential. The firm's early talent team reviews applications alongside the assessment results.
Assessment Centre
The assessment centre is a full-day process comprising:
A one-to-one interview focused on motivation, commercial awareness, and competencies.
A business simulation exercise designed to reflect trainee-level work and assess commercial judgement.
A case study requiring candidates to analyse information, identify key issues, and present reasoned conclusions.
Throughout the day, assessors will be looking not only at the quality of your answers, but also how you approach problems, engage with others, and structure your thinking under time pressure.
Firm History
Ready to apply?
The Future Trainee Academy covers the full application, including written applications, online assessments, interviews, and assessment centres.
For situational judgment and reasoning practice, the Watson Glaser Practice Hub gives you unlimited free timed tests with worked explanations.